Convicted Multiple Murderer Sentenced To 55 Years In Prison

MILFORD, CT — Admitted multiple murderer Peter Manfredonia was sentenced to 55 years in prison after pleading guilty to the fatal shooting of a former classmate in Derby in May 2020.

On Feb. 16, Manfredonia, 26, pleaded guilty in Milford Superior Court to charges of murder and first-degree kidnapping in connection with the shooting death of Nicholas John Eisele, 23, and the kidnapping of Eisele's girlfriend, Shannon Spies, on May 24, 2020. He was sentenced by Judge Peter L. Brown, according to Margaret E. Kelley, Ansonia/Milford State’s Attorney.

Court records indicate Manfredonia fled Connecticut with Spies following the homicide, and held her captive at gunpoint for more than seven hours before authorities found her unharmed at a rest stop in New Jersey. Local, state and federal authorities searched across multiple states for Manfredonia before arresting him in Maryland on May 27, 2020.

"This was a horrific crime that shattered so many lives," Kelley said. "The pain and anguish suffered by Ms. Spies and the family of Nicholas John Eisele is unfathomable. His family and Ms. Spies worked thoughtfully with the state to achieve this disposition."

On Thursday, Manfredonia will be sentenced in Rockville Superior Court on charges of murder, first-degree assault and home invasion, stemming from the May 22, 2020 killing of Theodore DeMers, 62, in Willington, plus the wounding of an elderly friend of DeMers and a home invasion in which Manfredonia held the Willington homeowner hostage for 24 hours before stealing the man's truck and firearms and driving to Eisele's home, Kelley said.

Manfredonia pleaded guilty to those charges on Feb. 8. He is expected to receive a similar sentence of 55 years in that case, with the two prison terms to run concurrently, Kelley said.